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NAD! Markbass Minimark
- Thread starter selowitch
- Start date
The inclusion of quality, dependability, 5-year warranty and customer service is also factored into Mesa's price point, not just a bag
Totally agree. Even with a $260 (£200) special offer discount a D800+ costs $1300 in the UK (vs $899 in the US). Over here Mesa are premium products at super premium prices. I'd almost expect a lifetime warranty for $1500. Almost.
And the manufacturer stands behind their product and doesn't leave you to hang should something go wrong in just a couple of years.
Yes, absolutely—although honestly I usually assume there's a one-year warranty on a new amp but I guess I should start checking. Doesn’t apply with used gear and I try to always buy used when possible.
Warranty and actual service centers are what I check first. One year on a pro level amp would be unacceptable to me. Three years is my minimum and I base this on what I find in other industries.
Even for used, manufacturers should provide documentation and schematics to allow a local tech to fix it after the warranty expires. "Right to repair" acts and so forth, and the use local businesses to keep the money local. Some manufacturers are very good about providing repair information when you contact them, but it's hit and miss.
I bought all but my Markbass heads other than the LM3 (from new in 2009) and the Momark for less than the cost of a tech diagnosis/ repair. None has failed yet but as they share common sub assemblies (apart from the Momark) I can swap out if needed. I doubt I'll outlive them all so no warranty concerns for me.
I should not even have my Mesa WD 800 on my fixed income but,
I was trolling around the WD thread and coveting the WD but I just knew I couldn't do it with my budget.
A fellow TBer mentioned that Sweetwater had a deal going at the time with 48 months interest-free and it covered Mesa.
I got in on the last day of the offer
A fellow TBer mentioned that Sweetwater had a deal going at the time with 48 months interest-free and it covered Mesa.
I got in on the last day of the offer
Interest free is good and I take advantage of it all the time but I never get 48 months - Wow!
You'll still have warranty left on the MB after you pay it off. I couldn't imaging having a broken amp what wasn't under warranty with monthly payments. You did good!
I've yet to see that deal on Mesa since.Interest free is good and I take advantage of it all the time but I never get 48 months - Wow!
You'll still have warranty left on the MB after you pay it off. I couldn't imaging having a broken amp what wasn't under warranty with monthly payments. You did good!
It worked out to $28 US per month. Even I could double up on that
Still very happy with the amp.
The lack of any EQ at all is the only minus but not a big deal.
My bandmates report that they can’t distinguish between this the sound of this amp and the sound of the Mini CMP 121P I was using previously.
It's light and compact. Speaker out, speaker on/off, DI, and headphone jack are all great features.
The lack of any EQ at all is the only minus but not a big deal.
My bandmates report that they can’t distinguish between this the sound of this amp and the sound of the Mini CMP 121P I was using previously.
It's light and compact. Speaker out, speaker on/off, DI, and headphone jack are all great features.
I was a bit concerned about the minimal EQ, too (only VLE & VPF for those who don't know), when I got mine, but so far it offers pretty much all that is needed. I usually set the VPF to around 9:00 - 10:00 and it sounds pretty damned amazing. 
For deeper, more rounded tones, I'll set the VLE to whatever is needed at the time.
For deeper, more rounded tones, I'll set the VLE to whatever is needed at the time.
Even with the VLF & VLE completely off it sounds great to me.I was a bit concerned about the minimal EQ, too (only VLE & VPF for those who don't know), when I got mine, but so far it offers pretty much all that is needed. I usually set the VPF to around 9:00 - 10:00 and it sounds pretty damned amazing.
In a few posts on TB I recall seeing the VPF referred to as the Marcus knob and the VLE as the Jaco knob. As with all controls on amps, turn the knob, play, listen, repeat until you understand its effect on the sound.
Looking at the graphs and reading the discussion evokes Mark Twain’s observation that climate is what you expect but weather is what you get. The graphs are analogous to climate and the sound is analogous to weather.
One needs to know how to read the graphs and see how it all works. Keep in mind, these show the extreme settings, particularly for the VPF (which does not show the flat response at the fully CCW position). A little goes a long way.
It would be great if manufacturers who provide graphs could animate them on their websites. It would be enlightening to see the curve evolve as you slowly rotate the knob. Yep! All a manufacturer needs is yet another task larded on.
